Pneumatic telescopic mast and its applications.



M. GUICHARD. PNEUMAHC TELESCOPIC MAST AND ns APPLICATIONS.

1%6%9U63m APPLICATION FILED JAN-2B. l9 l6- Patenmd 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Mme/vir- NI. GUICHARD: PNEUMATIC TELESCOPIC MAST AND ITS APPLICATIONS.

. APPLICATION FILED IAN-28, I9I6- IIII Patented Apr; 23, 1918.

M. GUICHARD. PNEUMATIC rsuzscomc wmsr mo ns APPLICATIONS. 0 W A u APPLICATION FILED 'JAN-23| l9l6. l y M h Patented Apr. 23, 1918.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Lessons.

curs res rain risr= MARCEL GUIGHAR'D, or rants, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR To socrnrn DELIEC'IRIGIITE MORS, or rams, FRANCE.

To all whome't may concern Be it known that I, MARCEL GUIcnAnn, of L8 Rue de la 'Bienfaisance, Paris, Republic of France, engineer, have invented an Improved Pneumatic Telescopic Mast and Its Applications, of which the following is full, clear, and exact description.

The telescopic masts ordinarily used, specially as pole-carriers for the wireless telegraphy or telephony stations, must be light in order to be easily ortable, it is therefore necessary that thelr constitutive tubular elements should have the minimum weight and, for that purpose, a reduced diameter, consequently it is indispensable to provide them with shrouds so as to insure their stability.

These masts are generally constituted in such a way that, when extended, their constitutive elements rise. in any order or suc-. cessi'vely in the increasing order of their diameters, that is to say with the element of smaller diameter issuing the first and that at the time of their telescoping into one another, these elements descend also in any order or successively in the decreasing order of their diameters, that is to say with the element of largest diameter reenteringfirst. In these conditions it is not possiblet'o fasten the shrouds during the erection of the mast, it is necessary during this operation, in order to prevent the latter taking dangerous inclinations, to maintain all the shrouds and they may be fastened only after the complete extension of the mast. In practice, this operation is long and chilicult, it requires a large number of men the actions of whom must be coordinated and during the erection the mast may sometimes fall or be broken by reason of wrong handling. Moreover, during the reentrance oi the elements of the mast, it is necessary to maintain constantly all the shrouds during the descent of the elements.

Besides, it is to be noted that in the pneumatic telescopic masts it is absolutely necessary that the pressure of the air be maintained Within the mastso that the latter remains extended and does not tend to reenter under the action of the strains which it undergoes.

.Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 23, 1918.

Application filed January'28,'1916. Serial No. 74,955.

successively and entirely the one into the other in the reverse order to that of the extension, that is to say with the upper element of smallest diameter reentering the first, then the element which is-immediately below and so on.

. In these conditions, during the erection of the mast, the fastening of the shrouds can be efl'ected in proportion to the issue of the elements and then only the set of shrouds following that which has just been fastened will have to be handled at a time and during the reentrance of the mast, the

V latter is always maintained by the shrouds secured to the elements situated below the recntering elements.

The present. invention is essentially characterized by the application at the upper part of the mast of any device allowing or capable'of exerting upon this element a vertical downward stress; under the action of this stress, all the movable elements of the mast, during the erection of the latter, be come integral with one another and issue as a block from the base element, then these elements separate successively the one from the other in the decreasing order of their diameters, the ascending group of elements separating from the lower element only after the complete issue of the latter.

Moreover this vertical stress has for effect,

one in the others in the increasing order of their diameters.

This device may consist 1n the application at the upper part of the mast ofa rope, chain, etc., for exerting a downward traction upon said mast or of a heavy charge at the top of this mast.

V The present mast is also characterized by the application to each sliding element of a special device insuring theperfect air-tightness and thus allowing the 'mast to remain 7 extended.

'This device comprises further a flanged joint having a conical shape, arranged in suchway that its-lower edge only is in contact with the inner wall of the tube in which it slides; in these conditions; the entire inner surface of this flanged joint, upon which is exerted the pressure of the air compressed within the mast, participates in energetically applying the lower edge of this joint against 'the wall of the tube on which t moves. a -Moreover, in order to prevent the introduction within the mast of foreign bodies, dust, water, etc., which might cause leakage, each element is provided at its upper part (exceptthe last element constituting the top of the mast) with a flexible ring, mounted. by means'of a s1 ecial device which prevents it from being subjected to the mechanical reactions of the'mast. The present type of mast comprises also a specialtype of lining allowing, if necessary, to easily nd rapidly do away with one or several elements without affecting the airtightness and the good working ofthe mast.

This type of pneumatic telescopic mast is capable of receiving variou applications: it may be'used as a pole-carrier for the wireless telegraphy and telephony stations, it allows also to obtain a portable observatory, which is light, very movable and of small visibility; in the latter case, at the top of the last element is arranged either a seat on which the observer sits or a platform of special construction provided'with a seat, bacl; hand-rail and tablet allowing the observer to install 'himselffor a prolonged time and to make use of optical apparatus. to take sketches, etc.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example the subject-matter of the present invention:

Figure 1 is an elevation showing the mast extended;

Fig. 2 illustrates the mast collapsed;

is cross section taken on line AA,"Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 are two detail views made on a greater scale, illustrating respectively in vertical section a portion of the mast in its extended position and in its folded position; I

Fig. 6 is another detail view showing a device permitting of doing away with one of the tubes ofthe mast;

Fig. 7 illustrates a special observation seat mounted atthe'upper part of the mast;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section showing the mast provided with a flange adapted to serve as a guide for the rope ladder allowing to gain access to this seat;

Fig. 9 is a detail. plan view showing the beam of the pumps adapted to compress the air within the mast.

As illustrated in the drawings, the present type of mast is composed of steel tubes at a? a? a sliding the one int the others while forming an airtight capacity of variable volnme; the number of these tube may vary and depends on the maximum height the mast must reach.

The lower tube a and the upper tube a. are closed at their lower part.

Each of the sliding tubes (1. a as is provided at its lower part with an air-tight lining constituted and mounted in the following; manner At the lowerend of each of these tubes is fitted a plug 72 secured within the tube by a forced in portion (3 constituted as illustrated in Fig. i and insuring); a perfectly air-tigbt joint. Against the outer face of this plug is fitted a flanged joint 11, of conical shape.

secured by means of a clamping member presenting a central core a which fits in a corresponding recess provided in the plug 7),- a bolt insures the fastening of the plug 0. of the flanged joi t (I and of the clamping member 6.

Channels it are provided in the clamping member (a and in the plug Z) of .Wli tube in order to allow free communication of the tubes between them.

By reason of the conical shape of the flanged joint (Z, the edge of the latter is fitted in a very firm manner a ggainst the wall of the tube against which the joint more a d in these conditions no leakage is possible.

The plug Z) is provided with u lodil'r on which rests a sleeve j of small leugl h locat'wl in the annular space situated between the tube carrying this plug 7) and that in which it slides. said sleeve being adapted to limit the extension or development of the sliding) tube.

At its upper part each of the tubes (1 a a except the upper tube a, carries a collar in which it is set (Fig. ii: on this collar is secured a washer 7 the inner diameter of which is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the sliding tube. This washer serves as an abutment for the sleeve j when the sliding tube has reached its maximum of travel.

For the purpose of preventing the introduction within the mast of foreign u'iatlors. dustywater, etc, each tube. except the last tube. carries at its upper part an elastic ring): on (Figs. 4: and 5) made of brass for inslauw and the inner diameter of which is such that neeepee it:

the sliding tube rubs against the inner edge capable of following the small transverse ofthis ring. This ring m rests upon the washer Z and is simply maintained by a washer n securedon' the preceding washer with a slight transverse play so as to be movements of the sliding tube. A headed screw 0 insures the fastening of the washers a Z and of the collar 7c. Y

The last tube a is provided at its upper part with a collar 70 constituting a cap.

The collars 7c of the various tubes and the cap 76 of the last tube havev all the same outer diameter; they areprovided on their inner face with a circular recess p receiving the heads of the screws 0 of the collar of the preceding tube when the mast is collapsed as illustrated in Fig. 5-and are capable of fittingthe one upon the others. The superposition of the various collars it constitutes a closed casing insuring a complete protection of the movable elements of the mast when the latter is collapsed.

. The collars 7c of the various tubes, or of certain tubes only, are provided with screwrings 9 (Figs. 1, 2, 3) to which are secured the shrouds adapted to insure the fastening of the mast.

For the purpose of allowing a vertical downward stress upon the mast at the time of the extension or folding down of the same, a rope, a cable or a chain 7 is secured to the upper element of the mast and is guided in the screw-eyes. 8 carried by the collars Jr) of the tubes.

The compressed air is forced into the mast by means of two pumpst operated by a beam which can be easily taken off. This beam is composed of two flat irons it each carrying at one of their ends a handle a presenting at their other end a notch 20 and perforated with three holes u, a a

(Fig. 9). For mounting the beam, the two flat irons u are placed on each side of the lower tube a, the notched end of each of these irons being arranged opposite thehandle of theother, then by a small movement of one member relatively to the other the axis of the handles a are caused to enter into the adjacent notches ta the two branches a are then slightly spaced apart so as to cause pins 1) carried by the piston rods of the pumps t to enter into the holes u and U4 and studs 'w provided on the tube a (Fig. l) to enter into the holes a.

In order to extend or develop the present type of mast when it is collapsed (Fig. 2) the operation is as follows The pumps 5 are actuated so as to force air in the tubes a a a taking care of exerting a traction on the cable 7".

The whole of the tubes forming an airtight chamber of variable volume, the support extends itself under the action of the cessively arrested by their respective sleeves as above explained. V I

In these conditions, during the erection of the mast, the fastening of the shrouds may be effected in proportion to the issue of the elements.

Then the mast is entirely extended the air inlet cook :10 is closed, said cock being arranged at the lower part of the tube-a.

For folding down the mast, a cock :0 is opened, this cock being also mounted at the lower part of the tube a the interior of the mast into communication with the atmosphere; traction is also exerted, as previously, on the cable 9, so as to compel the tubes to reenter the one into the other in 'the increasing order of the diameters, that is to say with the upper tube a of smallest diam: eter beginning to descend alone, the other elements remaining extended or developed under the action of the inner pressure. When this element a has entirely reentered, the element a descends in its turn, then the element a and so on. In these conditions, the mast may be retained in its vertical position during its collapsing, by the shrouds secured to the elements located below the descending elements. 7 In case of dam'ageor for any other cause, it is possible to do away with any one of the intermediate tubes of the mast. 7

If it is desired for instance to dispense with the tube a the upper washers Z of the tubes a anda are unscrewed, then the tube a is taken out of the tube a and the latter out of the tube a The conical flanged joints d are then removed and also the clamping members e of the latter, mounted at the base of the tubes a and a; the flanged point originally secured at the base of the tube a and its clamping member at the base of the tube a are then replaced by intercalating a cylindrical lining 3 the interior diameter of which. 1s slightly less than the inner dlameter of the tube a .A washer e of leather or other material may be interposed between the base By the same method any number of tubular elements of the mast may be dispensed with.

The present type of mast is capable of receiving many applications: it may be used especially as pole-carrier for wireless telegraphy, as supports for apparatus for optical telegraphy, as supports for projectors, etc. 1

It may be used also for the constitution of posts ofobservation; in this case, the last element carries at its upper end a platform with seat and hand-rail.

Fig. 7 shows a special method of realizat'ion of this post of observation.

This postcom'prises a bent tube 1 forming the main support and carrying at its lower part transverse flat irons 2 upon which rests a floor 3; On these flat irons are secured two uprights 4; the latter and the tube 1 carry a' hand-rail comprising an upper frame 5 and a bent rod 6 arranged below said frame and cut off on the rear face of the post. This rod supports a rocking seat 7 capable of oscillating at one of its ends on oneof the side branches of the rod 6 and provided at its other end with hooks 8 taking a bearing on the other side branch of this ro'd.- Moreover the said seat carries a counterweight 9 so arranged as to maintain it in its raised position. The carrier-tube 1 extends below the'floor 3; this extension 10 is fitted into the upper tubular element a of the mast.

The upp'er fr'ame 5 of the hand-rail carries a tablet 11, allowing the observer to take notes, sketches etc., and a rod 12 adapted to support the various optical apparatus which the observer may have to use.

To the irons 2 of the floor of the platform is attached: a rope ladder 13 allowing to gain access to the latter or go down when the mast remains extended. This ladder is preferably guided by flanges 14; secured on the upper collars of the constitutive tubes of the mast (Fig. 8) these flanges insure the regular unrolling of the ladder during the erection of the mast and prevent its lateral displacements.-

Inthis case, the ladder may also be used for fulfilling the same function as the rope or cable above described, that is to say for exerting a downward vertical traction on the mast during its extension or its collapsing, as previously explained.

The present type ofpneumatic telescopic mast is capable of receiving any other applications the form, sizes and detail devices of its constitutive elements may be modified according to these applications.

Claims:

1. A pneumatic telescopic mast comprising incombination a plurality of tubular elements collapsible within each other, means for maintaining air-tight joints between the same, guys fixed to a plurality of said tubular elements, manually operated means attached to the uppermost tubular element and adapted to exert vertical traction force at the apex of the mast during extension or collapsing of the mast.

A pneumatically operated mast comprising in combination tubular elements telescopically associated to slide within. each other to permit extension and collapsing of the mast, means for maintaining air-tight joints between saidtubular elements, a plurality of guy elements fixed to said tubular elements, and a traction member attached to the upper member of the mast adapted to permit an ascending vertical traction strain on the tubular elements during extension and collapsing of the mast.

A pneumatically operated mast comprising in combination a plurality of tubular elements telescopically associated to slide within ach other, means for maintaining air-tight joints between the same, guy elements attached to the upper end of each tubular element, a traction member attached to the upper tubular element to cause vertically ascending traction strain during the extension or collapsing of the tubular elements, and guides to receive said traction element secured to said guy elements.

at. A pneumatic telescopic mast comprising in combination tubular elements sliding the one into the other,a conical flanged oint mounted at the base of each sliding element by means of a plug on which the said clement is secured by setting and of a clamping member presenting a central core fitted into a recess provided in the plug,-a collar sccured to the upper part of each tubular element, a washer secured on the outer face of said collar, flexible means mounted on said washer for engaging the tubular sliding element, the said collars being provided on their inner faces with circular recesses and adapted to fit one upon the other when the mast is collapsed,and means for exerting at the upper part of the must a vertical downward strain during the extension or the collapsing of the mast.

A pneumatic telescopic mast comprising in combination tubular elements sliding the one into the other,a conical flanged joint mounted at the base of each sliding element,a collar secured to he upper part of each of the tubes,-a washer secured on this collar and internally bored according to the outer diameter of the element sliding in this tube,an elastic ring mounted with a slight transverse play on this washer and against which rubs the sliding element, the collars of the various tubes having a uniform outer diameter and being arranged to fit the one into the other when the mast is collapsed,-

and means for exerting at the upper partof the mast a downward vertical strain during the extension or the collapsing of the mast.

6. A pneumatic telescopic mast comprising in combination tubular elements sliding the one into the other,a conical flanged joint mounted at the-base of each sliding element,-a collar secured to the upper part of each of the tubes,a washer secured on this collar and the inner diameter of which is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the element sliding in this tube,an elastic ring mounted with a slight transverse play on this washer and against which rubs the sliding element, the collars of the various tubes having a uniform outer diameter and being arranged fit the one into the other when the mast is collapsed,a sleeve located in the annular space situated between each woman at this patent may be obtained for tube and that inwhich it slides in such manner that the saidsleeve, abutting on the one hand against a shoulder presented by the plug mounted at the base of the sliding tube and on the other hand against the washer of the tube in which the latter slides, limits the development of this sliding tube,iand means for exerting at the upper part of the mast a downward vertical strain during the extension or the collapsing of the mast.

The foregoing specification of my improved pneumatic telescopic mast and its applications, signed by me this tenth day of January 1916.

MAROEL enronnan.

Witnesses:

.CHAs. P. PRnssLY, EMILE BERTRAND.

five cents each, by addressing the Gommisaioner oil Watenta,

aamngton, D. E. r 

